Adelaide captain Taylor Walker will lead his side out in Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

Walker earns an immediate recall having served a one-game suspension for rough conduct against Geelong defender Zac Tuohy in Round 17.

Crows Head of Football Brett Burton said the return of the skipper will provide a boost for the side.

“It’s always good when you get your captain back in,” Burton said.

“Looking forward to him coming back into the side and having an impact.” 

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Walker replaces rising star Tom Doedee, who goes out of the team that defeated Brisbane last weekend after failing to overcome concussion.

Doedee is expected to be fit for the Round 20 Showdown against Port Adelaide.

“He was just a big sluggish out of that concussion, so he was a bit slow to get going earlier in the week and didn’t pass the protocol,” Burton said.

“We’ll continue that protocol on and I’m sure he’ll be fine for next week.”

Lachlan Murphy also suffered concussion last weekend but has been cleared to face the Demons after passing testing.

Meantime, vice-captain Rory Sloane is a definite starter despite reports suggesting the star midfielder may be in doubt after his foot was stomped on against the Lions.

“Sloaney was fine. He might have alluded to the fact he got stepped on the foot during the game, but outside of that he was fine,” Burton said.

“He was never in any doubt. He’s had a good week on the track.”

Both Adelaide and Melbourne sit in a logjam on the AFL ladder, with seven teams competing for three finals spots with five rounds remaining.

The Demons (10-7) sit one game and percentage above the Crows (9-8), but the home side will be looking to bounce back after being on the receiving end of a 91-point thrashing in Round 10.

“They gave us a good touch-up up in Alice Springs, so we’re keen to bounce back from that,” Burton said.

“They’ve been in some reasonable form. It’ll be a good contest and clearly, we’re looking to win every game now to give ourselves an opportunity to play finals.”

Myles Poholke, Andy Otten, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Paul Hunter have been named emergencies.

The clash between the Crows and Demons starts at 7.10pm (ACST) with gates open from 4.15pm.

Adelaide’s Round 19 team is…

IN – T. Walker
OUT –T. Doedee (concussion)